# Canadian Conservative leadership candidates react to the leaked Alito draft judgment **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [May 5, 2022, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-conservative-leadership-candidates-react-to-the-leaked-alito-draft-judgment/963985 "2022-05-05T02:30:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2022, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-conservative-leadership-candidates-react-to-the-leaked-alito-draft-judgment/963985/1 "2022-05-05T02:30:30Z")
Thought our American posters would find it interesting to see how Canadian federal Conservatives are reacting to the leaked Alito opinion. You see, the Tories are going through a leadership convention, having ~~eaten their young~~ canned their last two party leaders after each one failed to win a general election. As near as I can tell from the interwebs, here’s how they’re lining up: **Scott Aitchison:** “Let me be clear: I will ensure that women have access to the resources they need to make their own informed reproductive healthcare decisions, without judgment.” **Leslyn Lewis:** CTVNews.ca received a statement from Lewis’ campaign noting she won’t comment on the documents as they don’t represent a final decision but reiterated the candidate’s pro-life agenda, outlined in her “No Hidden Agenda” platform. **Jean Charest:** [tweeted out](https://twitter.com/JeanCharest_/status/1521573000289689600) that he is “pro-choice.” “A [government] under my leadership will not support legislation restricting reproductive rights. While I respect the democratic rights of MPs to bring forward private members bills on matters of conscience, I will not vote to support them,” he continued. **Patrick Brown:** “Abortion in Canada should be safe, legal, and, in my personal opinion, rare. That’s why my government will support women and families with policies that encourage other options, such as adoption and increased parental supports,” he said. "This is why it’s important for us to be clear where we stand. A Conservative Party led by me will not change Canada’s abortion laws. Period.” **Roman Babar:** said he doesn’t believe government has a role in how people “start or grow” their families but that he will respect the right of every Canadian to “seek nomination, introduce legislation, and vote freely” on matters of conscience. “The Conservative Party must welcome diversity of opinion,” [he tweeted](https://twitter.com/Roman_Baber/status/1521591512785727492). **Pierre Poilievre:** did not respond to inquiry from CTV. > **[U.S. Supreme Court abortion law leak puts new focus on Conservative...](https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/u-s-supreme-court-abortion-law-leak-puts-new-focus-on-conservative-leadership-candidates-views-1.5887030)** > > A U.S. Supreme Court leak indicating a reversal of the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling is prompting the Conservative Party of Canada’s leadership candidates to publicize their stance on abortion rights. In related news, the interim leader of the Conservatives, Candice Bergen, told the Conservative Members of Parliament not to comment on the issue in the House. It looks like most of them complied with that direction, but they did stand up to deny unanimous consent to a Bloc Québécois motion to confirm the right to an abortion, meaning that the matter did not come to a vote. > **[Abortion rights motion fails as Tories told to stay silent on U.S. draft...](https://winnipegsun.com/news/national/bloc-seeks-abortion-rights-vote-tories-told-to-stay-silent-on-u-s-draft-ruling)** > > A push from the Bloc Quebecois for the House of Commons to confirm the right to an abortion failed Tuesday. ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2022, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-conservative-leadership-candidates-react-to-the-leaked-alito-draft-judgment/963985/2 "2022-05-05T13:04:46Z")
I think they’re all quite concerned right now because it has just made social conservatism (and abortion specifically) front and centre for leadership. And any anti-abortion stance is going to reinforce concerns that the CPC will potentially put forth regressive legisliation. I happen to think the concerns are valid, but from a political point of view it doesn’t matter if they are valid, it only matters if it scares off voters. Which it will. I saw that Trudeau was looking to pass a law protecting abortion rights, and this is very clever. Popular for one thing, and it forces the Conservative MPs to be on record as opposed to simply shouting out “no” yesterday to an affirmation. However, the MPs that would be in danger for reelection on this are mainly in Manitoba’s “bible belt” and so not _really_ at risk. No, this will mainly affect the leadership. Since I do not like the CPC party as it exists right now, I am going to enjoy watching them squirm. Especially PP, because deep down we all know he’s just a populist troll with no real ideas, but just likes to get people riled up. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2022, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-conservative-leadership-candidates-react-to-the-leaked-alito-draft-judgment/963985/3 "2022-05-05T13:24:06Z")
Remind me again why so many Americans believe we are better than our neighbors to the north? 🙄 ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2022, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-conservative-leadership-candidates-react-to-the-leaked-alito-draft-judgment/963985/4 "2022-05-05T14:01:33Z")
Is that a common belief? I thought it was the other way around. I think most Americans know as a group the Canadians appear to be nicer people. But maybe that is only the blue states that believe that. * * * ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2022, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-conservative-leadership-candidates-react-to-the-leaked-alito-draft-judgment/963985/5 "2022-05-05T15:15:04Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Is that a common belief? Seriously? You’ve never heard insults towards Canada expressed by Americans? Even their “niceness” is mocked. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2022, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-conservative-leadership-candidates-react-to-the-leaked-alito-draft-judgment/963985/6 "2022-05-05T15:20:35Z")
I’ve heard their politeness mocked, which is pretty much damning with faint praise. I’ve honestly never heard other insults. I mean unless we’re talking South Park or something. So maybe not a thing in my neck of the woods, but common elsewhere? ---
**Author:** ![Turki-lurki](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turki-lurki/32/7168_2.png) [@Turki-lurki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turki-lurki)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2022, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-conservative-leadership-candidates-react-to-the-leaked-alito-draft-judgment/963985/7 "2022-05-05T15:25:44Z")
Amen. Canadians are like Americans but with better manners- and more civil politics. In general… ---
**Author:** ![SOJA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@SOJA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SOJA)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2022, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-conservative-leadership-candidates-react-to-the-leaked-alito-draft-judgment/963985/8 "2022-05-07T05:51:28Z")
Conservatives in Canada are deemed liberal by our own right. I’m not surprised at Canada’s conservatives coming out with these statements. They’ve done a lot of right-wing stuff, but even this is unpalatable for them. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2022, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-conservative-leadership-candidates-react-to-the-leaked-alito-draft-judgment/963985/9 "2022-05-07T05:55:41Z")
It simply isn’t politically viable to do anything else. It’d be party suicide. The Conservatives were in power from 2006 to 2015. They didn’t lift a finger to create any sort of abortion law. ---
**Author:** ![SOJA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@SOJA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SOJA)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2022, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-conservative-leadership-candidates-react-to-the-leaked-alito-draft-judgment/963985/10 "2022-05-07T06:09:27Z")
Why should they have? I’m asking rhetorically. Even with some of the crazies y’all have you’re still far more sane than us and our conservatives. Canada seems to actually value their citizens. That said, you guys could have drafted a foreign investment bill back then to protect housing vs. doing something reactionary now, nearly 20 years later. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2022, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-conservative-leadership-candidates-react-to-the-leaked-alito-draft-judgment/963985/11 "2022-05-07T21:06:35Z")
> [@SOJA](#): > > That said, you guys could have drafted a foreign investment bill back then to protect housing vs. doing something reactionary now, nearly 20 years later. Prohibiting non-citizens from buying houses 20 years ago would have been a solution in search of a problem and would have been rightly perceived as xenophobic. Politicians do what they think will get them elected. Abortion laws won’t get you elected in Canada. Maybe in some rural ridings, but it won’t help the party win the election. ---
**Author:** ![EastUmpqua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eastumpqua/32/6025_2.png) [@EastUmpqua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EastUmpqua)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2022, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-conservative-leadership-candidates-react-to-the-leaked-alito-draft-judgment/963985/12 "2022-05-07T21:42:39Z")
> [@Turki-lurki](#): > > Amen. Canadians are like Americans but with better manners- and more civil politics. In general… I’ve never heard an American disparage Canadians. Yes, people might think the way Canadians say ‘about’ is kinda funny, eh? But from what I’ve observed, most Americans would rather live in Canada, if it wasn’t so cold. Canada’s approach to abortion seems fair and reasonable. A quote from the [Wikipedia article on abortion in Canada](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abortion_in_Canada): **Abortion in Canada** is legal at all stages of pregnancy, regardless of the reason, and is publicly funded as a medical procedure under the combined effects of the federal [Canada Health Act](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_Health_Act) and provincial health-care systems.[[1]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abortion_in_Canada#cite_note-StrachanPoloni-Staudinger2019-1)However, [access to services and resources](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abortion_in_Canada#Accessibility_and_methods) varies by region.[[2]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abortion_in_Canada#cite_note-SharpeCarter2006-2) While some non-legal barriers to access continue to exist,[[1]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abortion_in_Canada#cite_note-StrachanPoloni-Staudinger2019-1) Canada is the only nation with absolutely no [criminal restrictions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abortion_law) on abortion.[[3]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abortion_in_Canada#cite_note-SheldonWellings2020-3)[[4]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abortion_in_Canada#cite_note-AmmerManson2009-4) Nevertheless few providers in Canada offer abortion care beyond 23 weeks and 6 days without a medical reason as outlined by provincial regulatory authorities for physicians.[[5]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abortion_in_Canada#cite_note-auto1-5) ---
**Author:** ![SOJA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@SOJA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SOJA)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2022, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-conservative-leadership-candidates-react-to-the-leaked-alito-draft-judgment/963985/13 "2022-05-07T22:35:54Z")
It may have been, but when the individuals buying it don’t live there and don’t rent out the home, is it bad? Blaming xenophobia is too easy. May work in Alberta or where oil workers are. I don’t know much about the country of delicious syrup, beavers and maple leaves, but I’ve heard enough awful stories about some people from those areas of interest that really aren’t different from our rednecks. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2022, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-conservative-leadership-candidates-react-to-the-leaked-alito-draft-judgment/963985/14 "2022-05-07T22:51:12Z")
> [@SOJA](#): > > May work in Alberta or where oil workers are. I don’t know much about the country of delicious syrup, beavers and maple leaves, but I’ve heard enough awful stories about some people from those areas of interest that really aren’t different from our rednecks. Like I said, it might carry some weight in some rural areas - Alberta’s more urban than rural, there’s rural areas in all provinces. However, in Canada, criminal law is a federal matter. In the USA, where it’s a state matter, a red state will want to ban abortion the instant they are allowed to do so, so an anti-abortion message is an election winner in such a place; in Canada, a matter of criminal law is coast to coast, so the case must be made to the country as a whole or it’s an election loser. ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2022, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-conservative-leadership-candidates-react-to-the-leaked-alito-draft-judgment/963985/15 "2022-05-09T12:27:28Z")
I wonder if anything happened in 2016 that might have emboldened social conservatives and moved the CPC further right? 🙂 Nyah, probably nothing. But seriously, Harper was smart. He knew social conservativism was a losing game, and he ruled the party with an iron fist to make sure he was not linked with it. The cracks started to show for him when he said “old stock Canadians”, and I think that played a significant role in his loss. The election of Trump has changed the political landscape both in the USA and Canada. Our interim opposition leader was photographed wearing a MAGA hat. Other MMPs and many supporters of the CPC are open pro-Trump. The CPC has shifted right, and social conservatism is nowhere near as taboo. In the last election, I was concerned about whether O’Toole had control over the social conservatives in the party, and I suspect that concern of mine will continue. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2022, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-conservative-leadership-candidates-react-to-the-leaked-alito-draft-judgment/963985/16 "2022-05-11T22:27:43Z")
Social Conservatives are entitled to their view, when it does not harm others. Most Conservatives prefer to concentrate on battles that they can win. It is refreshing that few candidates support reviving issues largely agreed upon, and this consensus grows with every generation. It may also be worth pointing out that third trimester abortions are exceedingly rare in Canada. Although sometimes legally permitted, many doctors would insist on their conscience rights. Fourth trimester abortions are much more controversial. Lest one get too rosy a view of Conservative candidates in other matters, many fell over themselves in a recent debate to explain how much and how early they supported a convoy most people did not. This article seems a bit partisan, possibly, but is not completely wrong. Of course, it is not comparable to American matters. > **[Opinion: Vaccine refusal? Blockades? Bitcoin? What does any of this have to...](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-vaccine-refusal-blockades-bitcoin-what-does-any-of-this-have-to-do/)** > > Conservative leadership candidates are competing to see who can take the most unhinged positions on the fringiest topics ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2022, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-conservative-leadership-candidates-react-to-the-leaked-alito-draft-judgment/963985/17 "2022-05-17T16:54:04Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > Social Conservatives are entitled to their view, when it does not harm others. Well, they never do. ACTIONS harm others. ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2022, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-conservative-leadership-candidates-react-to-the-leaked-alito-draft-judgment/963985/18 "2022-05-17T17:04:55Z")
I honestly think PP is going to be the next PM. Canadians like to vote somebody out, and I think Trudeau has accumulated enough baggage to weigh him down just enough to let the CPC in. People are angry, scared, desperate, and losing hope for the future. It is the perfect catalyst for “Throw the bums out!” If Trudeau were really smart (he isn’t), then he would step down and hand the reins over to someone else (he won’t). It could save the party in the next election. While I’m sure Canada can survive a term of PP, I don’t think he will be a good PM. I mean “Buy Bitcoin to avoid inflation!”, Bitcoin drops 33%. This is not a guy I want in control of the national economy. My biggest problem with PP is he’s so scummy. Like all are politicians are somewhat the stereotypical used care salesman but this guy is so obviously say whatever it takes to get the votes. He doesn’t care about cryptocurrency, but he does care about younger cryptobros votes. He is quite literally a populist. And my fear is he will: 1. Govern that way, which is awful. 2. Have zero control over the more extreme elements of the party because he’s ultimately just a weak troll, and he won’t want to ruffle feathers. But we’ll survive. I don’t think he, or the CPC, will torpedo the democratic principles in Canada. But yuck. ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2022, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-conservative-leadership-candidates-react-to-the-leaked-alito-draft-judgment/963985/19 "2022-05-17T17:52:09Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Well, they never do. ACTIONS harm others. Words harm others, too. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2022, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-conservative-leadership-candidates-react-to-the-leaked-alito-draft-judgment/963985/20 "2022-05-17T18:24:09Z")
> [@FinsToTheLeft](#): > > Words harm others, too. But I didn’t say words, did I? I was referring to VIEWS, as stated by Dr\_Paprika. I guess words can wound your feelings. To actually hurt you they have to cross into things like inciting violence - which is an action. Politicians have a million ways they can hurt you a lot worse than stating an opinion you find anathema, and focusing on someone’s tweets or whatever over real issues is not good for democracy or people in general. Some Conservative saying he thinks abortion is wrong isn’t hurting you for real. > [@BeepKillBeep](#): > > I honestly think PP is going to be the next PM. Canadians like to vote somebody out, and I think Trudeau has accumulated enough baggage to weigh him down just enough to let the CPC in. Trudeau has managed the historically unique accomplishment of leading a party to two straight pluralities in seats while actually finishing second in the popular vote; like Donald Trump, he’s in charge only because the way the electoral map is drawn up favors his party. Fortunately for him, the losses in popular vote were small because the Conservatives keep nominating men of absolutely stunning mediocrity. Andrew Scheer and Erin O’Toole could not have been more boring, uninspiring, and pointless. I can’t remember anything in particular they stood for. I can’t remember their election messages at all. I’m not certain I could pick them out in a police lineup. I keep thinking of Amy Bruckheimer in “Veep” yelling at Mike McClintock, “You’re like an earlobe! You’re just, there!” As much as I distrust populists and especially distrust Poilevre, he has clear and simple policy positions. They may make sense, or they may NOT make sense, or they may be insane, but they give someone a thing to vote FOR. People will vote for that. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-conservative-leadership-candidates-react-to-the-leaked-alito-draft-judgment/963985.md?page=2)